BALTIC PROTECTOR – British Defence in the Baltics

As the Royal Navy mark the centenary of Operation Red Trek, the defence and liberation of Estonia from Bolshevik rule, it is with a measure of professional pride which the UK can rightly reflect upon its continuous commitment to the Baltic region.

This article was submitted to us by Rob Clark (@RobertClark87), a Postgraduate Researcher and British Army veteran.

Solidified with Operation BALTIC PROTECTOR this summer, the UK has underscored its continued presence in this increasingly strategic region.

As part of the nine-member strong Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the Royal Navy worked in conjunction with some of its most trusted European partners to ensure British interests are maintained across the Baltic Sea.

Operationally, BALTIC PROTECTOR was about demonstrating credibility as a rapidly deployable military force, whilst signifying British commitment to and freedom of action within the region. Crucially, in the JEFs first operational deployment since its formation in 2018, it was about learning best practice, overcoming and adapting in order to how best take the organisation forward. The operational commander, Royal Navy Commodore Parkin, speaking exclusively to Robert Clark for The British Interest, asserted that this has all been achieved, whilst making “significant leaps forward in developing our interoperability as a military force”.

Argus with helicopters in the Baltic earlier this year.

The interoperability throughout the three distinct phases of the operation has been fundamental to how the JEF can and must operate. Without a legally binding treaty, such as NATO, or a common political and bureaucratic architecture, like the EU, the key to the operational success of the JEF has been its ability to work with like-minded nations, all heavily vested in maintaining the rules-based order in northern Europe, particularly in the maritime domain.

The Minister for the Armed Forces, Rt Hon Mark Lancaster MP, explained this perfectly when he summed up the deployment; “From Denmark to Lithuania, from Sweden to Estonia, BALTIC PROTECTOR will leave potential adversaries in no doubt of our collective resolve and ability to defend ourselves. This force is a key component of European security, a force of friends that complements existing structures and demonstrates that we are stronger together”.

The ‘Joint Expeditionary Force’ task group.

Remaining unshackled from the burden of bureaucracy, Commodore Parkin believes that an additional strength of the JEF is fundamentally found in its relatively small yet inclusive membership; “Having a smaller membership with no binding treaty or collective defence imperative means the JEF is able to think, decide and act quickly”. This ability to think, decide, and act quickly, was highlighted by the freedom of action and mission command afforded at various stages throughout the deployment, whilst all the while working at the interoperability with partner nations.

Some of this partnered work may seem laborious, but is crucial when operating within a multinational task force. Establishing common processes, adapting to a new command structure and understanding one another’s equipment was all part of the integration phase. For instance, the Royal Navy drilled their Royal Marines using every helicopter and landing craft within the force; each nation’s helicopters practised landing on each different deck supported by each ship’s aviation team; and each nation’s landing craft practised embarking and disembarking personnel from each ship. Such work is crucial when operating at a high operational tempo. This afforded the task force the opportunity to utilise other JEF members’ maritime capabilities which are optimised for this region, including the Swedish Visby class corvettes and Norwegian Skjold class fast patrol boats.

This led directly into the final phase, which allowed for the JEF to learn how the it could support the Baltic States during a crisis, and how to work into a larger NATO operation. The task force worked closely with the NATO Baltic Air Policing and enhanced Forward Presence, at one point bringing its collective assets to bear during an amphibious demonstration to senior dignitaries in Estonia.

Image of a AS90 Self-Propelled Artillery artillery gun, seen here in the winter snow of Estonia.

Commodore Parkin described the success of the deployment as demonstrating that; “the JEF is more than just another security forum – it is also a credible military force. At both the operational and strategic level I think it offers those nations an increased degree of flexibility and variability in how to respond to crises. The JEF can be 2 nations working together to support a humanitarian crisis, or it can be a ‘full fat’ coalition of 9 nations for higher intensity operations”.

Typhoon aircraft at Ämari Air Base in Estonia for Baltic Air Policing operations.

The force, comprising over 10,000 sailors, aircrew and Marines, can stand alone as discussed above, or significantly it can dock into NATO or UN operations, as appropriate. Thus the force provides political choice and flexibility not just to the UK, but to its norther European allies. According to Commodore Parkin, this can also “create doubt in the mind of any potential adversary”.

Whilst acknowledging Russia’s legitimate existence in the region, as demonstrated by the presence of the Russian Federation Naval vessel Fodor Golovin observing the task force, Commodore Parkin correctly points out that “94% of the Baltic Sea coastline that is not Russian belongs to either JEF or NATO nations, so as a JEF Task Group we have that inherent legitimacy that comes with sovereign territory and the freedoms granted on the high seas by the rules-based international system to which we are all signed up”.

HMS Montrose with a Swedish vessel in the foreground.

As the Russian actions in eastern Ukraine since 2014, the Black Sea from last year onwards, and its continued subterfuge across the Baltic states demonstrate, threats to states abiding the rules-based international system are prevalent, shaping an era whereby great state rivalry is back. Sustaining the Royal Navy’s ability to confidently and professionally conduct regular deployments with regional partners and allies, and being able to come together in flexible and highly reactive task forces like the JEF, is clearly in the national interest.

Going forwards, Commodore Parkin accurately points out that media reports of ‘low’ troop figures presents a myopic view on the reality of warfare leading into 2020; “For example, a Type 45 destroyer has less than half the number of people of a Type 82 destroyer, but is an order of magnitude more powerful. The RAF would say the same about a two seat Tornado F3 vs a one seat Typhoon FGR4 – half the people but twice the capability. So when newspapers talk about the “shrinking Navy” by looking at headcount, the argument is completely specious”.

Pictures taken during an Advance to Contact training serial which involved a force on force battle between the Royal Marines and the Latvian Army.

As an interesting nod to where capability in the Royal Navy can be developed, however, the Commodore ascertains that the future of naval warfare lies in maintaining the UK’s technological edge; “be that through unmanned/autonomous maritime systems or novel weapons and sensors”.

However, despite the level of automation and machine learning which is set to revolutionise warfare in the coming decade, Commodore Parkin reserves the most fundamental skill at the Royal Navy’s disposal to a much more human element; “I am consistently struck by the quality and commitment of our people across the whole of the Armed Forces, and they will remain our true fighting edge for some time to come”.

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“Going forwards, Commodore Parkin accurately points out that media reports of ‘low’ troop figures presents a myopic view on the reality of warfare leading into 2020; “For example, a Type 45 destroyer has less than half the number of people of a Type 82 destroyer, but is an order of magnitude more powerful. The RAF would say the same about a two seat Tornado F3 vs a one seat Typhoon FGR4 – half the people but twice the capability. So when newspapers talk about the “shrinking Navy” by looking at headcount, the argument is completely specious”.” To me the argument… Read more »

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27 days ago

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Cam

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Yeah we’ve lost far too many assets in recent years and I hate how most millitary top brass keep playing it down probably because they have to! We need more soldiers/Sailors and equipment, granted we do have bigger but fewer assets, but even a type 45 only has 48 missiles and most have no Anti ship missiles!. On another note I wonder if Argus will get a replacement? She was handy carrying choppers for HMS Albion and a bay class that have no hangars, what would they have done for choppers without her large hangar.

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27 days ago

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Simon m

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The armed forces need to be more outspoken not only for the good of it’s servicemen and women, but for the good of the country. They for too long stand silently whilst the numbers keep going down the top brass, have in this way for all intentions failed in their duty. The BMT Elida looks an interesting concept purchasing 2 could result in being able to have 2 ARGs with 1 deployed (why did we sell a bay class) . But I doubt this will happen. The only way a Uk ARG looks capable of operating is when deployed with… Read more »

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27 days ago

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dave12

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I agree I think the oil tanker situation in Iran has exposed us , more numbers are needed.

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27 days ago

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Gavin Gordon

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Without wishing to put my foot in it the regard to any future incident over Iran, I’m not sure the Gulf example fully supports the contention. (So far?) the Iranians have only managed to pounce on an empty, local ‘British registered’ trader the coastal schedule of which would have been well known to them: overall, small fry. In the meantime, the RN has to date escorted at least 60 vessels on international transits through Hormuz, and ongoing. They have not in any wise been left alone during this time having dealt with unrelenting Iranian challenges albeit primarily confined to hailing… Read more »

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27 days ago

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Trevor

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Correct

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27 days ago

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Lusty

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12 T42 a single Type 82! If you want to be even more specific, in 1982 there were 9 T42 in commission or working up, the single T82 and 3 County Class destroyers, with a further County Class laid up pending conversion to a training ship. I think the current situation in the Gulf, coupled with the need to sustain current commitments, provide escorts for the carriers and deploy assets further afield has demonstrated that more ships are needed. T31 or more Rivers is the answer to that, but I have long said that 12 T31 would fully replace the… Read more »

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27 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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Shock! I missed a T42 Lusty. Thought there were 11 most of the modern era? What happened to the 12th?

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27 days ago

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Lusty

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14 were planned for the RN, but as I think we all know, 2 were lost in the Falklands. The 12 remaining ships remained in service, with the first, HMS Birmingham, being decommissioned in 1999. HMS Bristol herself remained in frontline service or as a training facility until 1991, when she was converted into her current status as a training ship, replacing the County Class destroyer HMS Kent at Whale Island. By her conversion in 1991, all Type 42 ships were in active service, with the last three hulls being commissioned in 1985. For a few years at least, there… Read more »

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27 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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Thank you.

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27 days ago

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Lusty

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Welcome, always a pleasure.

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26 days ago

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Gavin Gordon

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I was on HMS Bristol as a youngster and regularly worked within sight of it ‘s Whale Island berth until retirement a few years back. I’m now beginning to wonder which of us is going ‘to peg’ it first.

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27 days ago

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Lusty

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Hopefully neither of you!

Bristol is a fine ship and she would make an excellent Falklands War museum. Some claim the lack of armament counts against this, but the team in Belfast managing HMS Caroline have achieved great things – all of her ‘armaments’ are fakes, convincingly reproduced by a local manufacturer. Similarly, the old training rooms on Caroline are used to host events, display information about the ship and the main one is used as a viewing area for a short film about the Battle of Jutland. Recommend a visit if anyone’s in Belfast.

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26 days ago

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Julian

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Yes regarding asset (ships, planes etc) numbers but wasn’t Parkin, at least from the bit of the quote you included Daniele, talking specifically about headcount? On that basis I can see what he is saying and in principle I agree with it. If one took a hypothetical fleet of 10 (to make arithmentic easier) T82 in the past with a crew complement of 397 each (call it 400) = 4,000 personnel. Now image a current fleet of (we wish!) 15 T45 which, with a crew complement of 191 each (call it 200), needs 3,000 personnel (just looking at crew counts… Read more »

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27 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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The way I read his piece was that he was specifically talking about headcount to deflect negative reports on cuts by talking of papers reporting “shrinking fleets” as if they meant personnel.

Any articles I have read on cuts, especially for the RAF and RN, deal mainly with the size of the fleet and numbers of aircraft.

His point on ships having less people to operate is valid.

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26 days ago

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Grubbie

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All obvious bluff,I’m afraid .

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26 days ago

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Steve

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It seems odd to me that the royal marines have not invested in something that gives more of a punch to support the vikings.

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26 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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Both 3 Commando and 16 AA have been woefully supported by mobile fire support over the years.

A squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment was earmarked to support 16AA at one time. I don’t recall any such arrangement for the RM.

Also the RM are moving away from deploying as a whole brigade to a raiding force.

Maybe also, seeming as for many years the RM had left the vehicles in the hands of the army there was no priority for it, let alone money.

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26 days ago

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Steve

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I suspect it probably is money, as I would think a raiding force would need some basic medium/heavy weapons platforms even more so than their traditional role which would be supported by the army. Even if it is just a larger mortar platform incorporated into a raiding vehicle.

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26 days ago

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Airborne

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Spot on again mate, 16 Bde is a paper tiger, limited OS, with 12 105mm, 81mm and FSG/support Company with GMG, 0.5 and GPMG mounted on Jackel. Used to have HCR troop, with Scimitar and 30mm, old but effective. Now now they are popping over on ex again using jackel! The Royals do have the Viking, but exactly same weapon systems, just a different vehicle to carry them. I can see however, in the near future, both Brigades being almagated and then having a specialty of one Airborne/one Commando/one air assault Battle group, with a fourth formation, from the Royals… Read more »

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25 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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Morning Airborne. I really do not see why if the will was there this situation could not be reversed. I have heard of this amalgamation talk and I believe it is being strongly resisted by the Corps and by the Parachute Regiment. Looking at 16AA, there are – and any corrections to this please mate? Headquarters 16th Air Assault Brigade. – G1 to G9 – ? Sec IC 216 ( Para ) Signals Squadron RS. 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment. – Battalion HQ. – HQ Company. – A ( Command ) Company. – B Company. – C ( Bruneval ) Company… Read more »

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25 days ago

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Airborne

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Daniele you have your shit squared away! Spot on, all accounted for. But as you have observed, their will never be 3 deployable formations, and even on LAATF it is always a company level drop, after the PF, to secure an LZ, to get the remaining Battalion in by air landing. A full Brigade drop is planned for but not envisiged, for numerous reasons, tactical reasons and logistic reasons, ie not enough airframes.’ Anyway, we know that, but as to say, we should be able to deploy as a formation, but we can’t. And as recent history has shown no… Read more »

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25 days ago

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Daniele Mandelli

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Thanks. Never mind bigger shopping lists, CGS, CFA, whoever, needs to get his act together. I refuse to believe individual batteries cannot be found for Exactor and some of the relatively minor improvements you suggest cannot happen.

I myself am with your colleagues, I’m for keeping both apart, I’m too traditional I guess.

Cheers.

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25 days ago

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Ian

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We must consider, that although advanced naval platforms punch further above their weight, they are still individual platforms that can’t be everywhere at once, neither can they be speedily replaced like liberty ships.

I never get the argument of fewer; better-armed vessels, delivering reciprocity with a smaller fleet, especially with the present imbalance of advanced anti-ship missiles.